Supporting Parents in the Workplace
A Call to Action from the Surgeon General
The Surgeon General is focusing on the mental health and well-being of parents because rising stress levels are having a profound impact on families, workplaces, and society. Parenting today involves juggling financial pressures, child care, and evolving challenges like technology and mental health crises. With 41% of parents feeling too stressed to function, it's clear that current systems aren’t providing the support parents need. The well-being of parents directly affects their children’s health and the stability of the workforce.
What Leaders Need to Know:
Workplace stress for parents is real and rising: Parental stress levels are significantly higher than those of other adults. In 2023, 33% of parents reported experiencing high stress compared to 20% of non-parents.
Mental health challenges impact the workplace: Nearly 24% of parents have some form of mental illness, and stress is exacerbating conditions like anxiety and depression, directly affecting work performance.
Supportive policies benefit everyone: High stress leads to burnout and absenteeism. 48% of parents reported their stress is "completely overwhelming" most days, which suggests that addressing these issues can improve both retention and productivity.
Where to Start
Flexible Work Policies: Implement flexible hours and remote work. Currently, parents are balancing an average of 33.5 hours per week in employed work while spending increasing hours on child care, with mothers and fathers spending 11.8 and 6.6 hours respectively per week on child care. Providing flexibility can relieve some of this pressure.
Child Care and Support Programs: Offer child care assistance. 66% of parents report being consumed by financial worries, and 24% of parents have struggled to afford child care or basic needs like rent. Supporting child care can reduce financial stress and help parents focus at work.
Mental Health Resources: Provide access to affordable, high-quality mental health care. Employers can offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and better mental health coverage.
Next Steps:
To address these challenges, leaders should prioritize flexible work policies, child care support, and access to mental health resources. Implementing these changes will reduce stress, improve productivity, and foster a healthier, more resilient workforce.